During the 2003 Write from the Heart conference, my roommate and I stayed up late one night talking about nothing in particular and everything in general. At one point we ventured onto the topic of names—character names, writers’ names and pen names.

“You know who has the perfect name for a romance writer?” she asked.

“Who?”

“Lauralee Bliss. Is it just me or does her name conjure images of romantic bliss?”

“Oooh,” I sighed. “I love her name. I remember receiving my first ACRW messages after joining the loop. I read a message she had posted and thought, ‘How could she NOT choose to be a romance writer with a name like that?’ She was destined for this business.”

Not only does Lauralee Bliss have a great name, but she has talent too. With nine published titles, five in print and four e-books, she has become a respected name in a competitive industry.

In the Crossfire, the first e-book in her Civil War trilogy, is a finalist in the 2004 EPPIE awards put out by EPIC (Electronically Published Internet Connection - a secular writing organization). She entered the book in the general historical category instead of inspirational and was excited to see it named a finalist! Her success proves that Christian novels can make it in the secular realm.

I hope you enjoy this look Behind the Scenes into the writing career of Lauralee Bliss.

Q: How many years have you been writing?
A: Nine years

Q: How much time do you spend writing daily?
A: I consider myself a part-time writer since I also home school my son. I try to get in a few hours in the early afternoon, but the majority of my time writing is in the evening hours.

Q: Do you set daily goals for your writing?
A: If I have a manuscript due, then I try to finish a chapter per week. I usually set goals as far as the date for completion and then go backwards from there. When I’m writing a new idea, I rarely set a specific goal. I sit down and see where my writing takes me. If I have a strict goal in front of me, at times it will get me too stressed to concentrate. When I sit down and let God take over, I find it’s easier to accomplish more than trying to figure it all out on my own.

Q: Where do you write?
A: I have my own office in the basement right next to my husband’s. It’s located in the corner of the house and is relatively isolated unless there are shenanigans going on in the basement. I also love to listen to music, especially when I’m in the rewriting/correcting phase. I find certain musical pieces, especially instrumental soundtracks to movies, very inspiring.

Q: Do you plot or not?
A: I jot down ideas for the principle plot in a notebook. I usually get a feel for the major plot and especially how the book is going to end (usually when I'm in bed, believe it or not). But there are many times I won’t know how the subplotting will go until I sit down and actually write the story. God plants ideas and words in me as I type. If I allow Him to take control of the keyboard, then I know the piece will be more powerful and life changing, which is the whole reason I write!

Q: Is your first draft rough or do you aim for a polished manuscript the first time through? How much time do you spend on rewrites?
A: My first draft is always rough. I don't believe in a polished piece until I send it off. Many times I can go through several rewrites. I also believe it’s helpful to have printed copies of your work to sit down and read through. Many times you can overlook errors if you simply read it on a computer. It also helps to read your story straight through on a printout just to see if the story flows from one idea to the next.

Q: How does your Christian walk influence your writing?
A: Without God I would have no writing ministry. He supplies the ideas, gets the creative juices flowing, and is the keeper of my head when I get discouraged or I don't understand. He truly controls it all, that is, if I am open to Him doing so!

Q: Do you have any advice for a new writer?
A: If you believe you have a call to a writing ministry, then trust in God to fulfill it in the manner and way He sees fit. And as the commander says in the movie, Galaxy Quest: “Never give up. Never surrender.”